More from @wammezz

Wim Zwijnenburg

@wammezz

20 Jul

Over the last two years we worked with local partners, used satellite imagery and open-source investigation to identify the specific problems that affects public health and the environment people depend on. Here's a small thread with what we found in NE #Syria 1/x

The main focus was on the Hasakah and to a smaller extend the Raqqa governorate, due to presence of our partners and own access. More analysis on environmental issues in the SDF controlled Deir ez Zor is in the making 2/x

Communities keep flagging public health concerns over unsafe landfills, solid waste dumping and burning. We identified over 20 large solid waste dumps, the combined size of 420 football fields. Chemicals from leachate contaminates groundwater and burning worsens air pollution 3/x

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Wim Zwijnenburg

@wammezz

19 Jul

Lack of investments, expertise and equipment around oil production is resulting in the widespread use of unprotected open-air waste pits in NE #Syria. Here's on example the Jabisah facility in Hasakah. The bitumen could seep into local surface and groundwater sources

More oil waste pits here south of the US air strip at Rmeilan in NE #Syria

Some larger oil waste reservoirs at the Shudaydah oil facility near Iraq's border

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Wim Zwijnenburg

@wammezz

18 Jul

https://twitter.com/alobaly/status/1416810758789206021

A small oil tanker at the coast of #Yemen sank and leaked oil washed upon the shores of the Al Buriqah district, hosting its larger oil terminals. Frequents spills keep occurring on Yemen's coast, from bombed vessels to leaking pipelines, polluting its marine #environment

https://twitter.com/alobaly/status/1416810758789206021

@sentinel_hub

#PT An oil spoil is already visible on this @sentinel_hub image from early July 2021 at the Aden oil terminal, near two smaller vessels cc @TankerTrackers #OOTT

@planet

Using @planet labs imagery, we can see the spill at the small tanker more up close on July 11, 2021, as the ship is sinking.

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Wim Zwijnenburg

@wammezz

2 Apr

@ghiaub

Important new systematic review out on health effects #depleteduranium munitions in #Iraq by @ghiaub. Since its first use 1991, the use of DU spiked concerns among civilians and veterans, yet proper research has always been lacking. A short thread 1/x gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e0…

First of all, lack of transparency by the US in DU use in 1991 and 2003 in #Iraq hindered identifying contaminated areas, clean-up operations and health monitoring of exposed populations. In 2014, we got the first set through and Dutch FOIA 2/x theguardian.com/world/2014/jun…

In meantime, all kinds of faulty research popped up, making outrageous claims over radioactive contamination by sketchy 'scientists' or denied full-out any effects, mostly by US DoD linked researchers, fearing accountability. Here's a good overview 3/x wise-uranium.org/pdf/dumyths.pdf

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Wim Zwijnenburg

@wammezz

1 Apr

@NATO

In its new Protection of Civilians Handbook @NATO also expands on #environmental protection considerations. A welcome development following last years #UNSC debates and side-events on environmental, peace and security. A short thread: 1/x
shape.nato.int/news-archive/2…

The introduction explains that PoC also includes protection of " the natural environment, as well as necessary public services linked to civilian critical infrastructure, such as potable water, sanitation, and electricity". 2/x natolibguides.info/Environment

In the planning phase of NATO operations, environmental protection considerations should be part of the analysis, including a baseline study and and environmental impact assessment to ensure minimization and mitigation of environmental impacts 3/x

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